Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

Callen-Lorde Awards to Celebrate LGBT Health and Wellness Trailblazers

November 1, 2016

At Annual Community Health Awards Event Monday, November 7, 6 PM to 9 PM Tribeca Rooftop at Three Sixty, 10 Desbrosses St, New York New York, NY- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center announces its upcoming Community Health Awards honoring outstanding leaders in the fields of LGBT health and wellness. The Community Health Awards draws hundreds of … More Callen-Lorde Awards to Celebrate LGBT Health and Wellness Trailblazers

HRC Board Members OKAY with the Deplorable Endorsement of Republican Mark Kirk for US Senate

October 29, 2016

Well my question is are they? Melanie Nathan, October 29, 2016. #HRCdumpKIRK According to the website of the preeminent LGBT organization, Human Rights Campaign, the HRC Board of Directors “has the ultimate authority over the organization’s actions, including fiscal management and budget approval. Board members also establish the official policies that direct HRC.”  That means, … More HRC Board Members OKAY with the Deplorable Endorsement of Republican Mark Kirk for US Senate

HRC Fails to Withdraw Endorsement of Republican Senator Despite Bigoted Comments

October 28, 2016

Since the day the preeminent LGBT organization, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced its endorsement in favor of Republican Senator Mark Kirk, (R-IL) the incumbent for the Illinois Senate seat,  instead of supporting the Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth who has a 100% equality rating to Kirk’s 76% , many LGBT activists have questioned the move … More HRC Fails to Withdraw Endorsement of Republican Senator Despite Bigoted Comments

Callen-Lorde and Edie Windsor to Dedicate the Thea Spyer Center in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

October 27, 2016

Callen-Lorde and Marriage Equality Champion Edie Windsor to Dedicate the Thea Spyer Center in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony; Facility Housing Callen-Lorde’s Mental Health Program Named in Honor of Late Pioneering Psychologist’s Work Thursday, November 3, 9 AM, Ground-level entrance to the Thea Spyer Center at Callen-Lorde 230 W 17th Street (between 7th and 8th Aves) New … More Callen-Lorde and Edie Windsor to Dedicate the Thea Spyer Center in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

South Africa Releases Draft Bill Proposing Jail for Hate Speech

October 25, 2016

Historic Hate Crimes Bill released – proposes 3 years in jail for hate speech Ten years in the making, the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill has now been published in South Africa, for comment. The proposed legislation, inter alia, provides a three yer sentence  for those found guilty of hate … More South Africa Releases Draft Bill Proposing Jail for Hate Speech

Lawsuit Filed Seeking Information on ICE Policies for Asylum Seekers

October 20, 2016

San Francisco – The ACLU of Northern California, the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project (IRP), the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies at UC Hastings College of the Law (CGRS), and pro bono counsel at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila (RSHC) today filed suit against the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for refusing to release … More Lawsuit Filed Seeking Information on ICE Policies for Asylum Seekers

TLDEF to Host 2016 Freedom Awards

October 19, 2016

New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is set to host the 2016 Freedom Awards, commemorating 11-years of transgender advocacy. This year TLDEF honors U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, whose unwavering support and leadership at the Department of Justice has helped advance transgender rights. TLDEF will also honor HBO for its work on … More TLDEF to Host 2016 Freedom Awards

TLDEF Files Brief in Mother’s Lawsuit Against Employer Denying Son Transition Related Health Care

October 14, 2016

New York, NY—Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) has filed a friend of the court brief with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in support of a Minnesota mother fighting for health coverage for her teenage transgender son. Brittany Tovar sued her employer (Essentia Health) and her health plan administrator … More TLDEF Files Brief in Mother’s Lawsuit Against Employer Denying Son Transition Related Health Care

Marin County Vegetation Biodiversity Plan in Final Review

October 10, 2016

Two meetings in October to assess decision process in maintaining public safety and protecting wildlife San Rafael, CA – With its 34 preserves and more than 16,000 pristine acres of undeveloped wild lands, the Marin County Open Space District is charged with both promoting environmental stewardship and protecting public safety. To help achieve these goals, the … More Marin County Vegetation Biodiversity Plan in Final Review

Marin BOS Takes Positions on Statewide Measures

October 7, 2016

Ballot contains 17 state propositions; Supervisors render stance on 13 There are 17 propositions on the statewide ballot for the November 8 General Election, and the Marin County Board of Supervisors has taken positions on 13 of them. The Board of Supervisors discussed the ballot measures at length during its September 20 meeting and continued … More Marin BOS Takes Positions on Statewide Measures

Hillary Clinton addresses LGBT Equality in Historic PGN Exclusive

October 6, 2016

“That’s why the stakes in this election are so high.” Clinton While Donald J. Trump and his henchman Mike Pence continue to promise to negate LGBT equality gains, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has penned an historic OP-ED in the Philadelphia Gay News, highlighting her support for LGBT rights (PGN) The editor comment notes the historic … More Hillary Clinton addresses LGBT Equality in Historic PGN Exclusive

NCLR Pushes for LGBT Rights in Call to Action for Equality Act

October 6, 2016

Now is a Critical Time to participate in your Equality Finally we are seeing a national  LGBTI organization push for passage of the Equality Act that is currently before Congress. Today the National Center for Lesbian Rights, NCLR,  launched a national campaign,  Support the Equality Act,  to urge municipal and state leaders across the country … More NCLR Pushes for LGBT Rights in Call to Action for Equality Act

President Obama’s Statement on the Death of Israeli Former President Shimon Peres

September 27, 2016

September 27, 2016 Statement by President Obama on the Death of Former Israeli President Shimon Peres There are few people who we share this world with who change the course of human history, not just through their role in human events, but because they expand our moral imagination and force us to expect more of … More President Obama’s Statement on the Death of Israeli Former President Shimon Peres

International Human Rights Court in Africa delivers Judgment Blow in Historic First LGBT Case

September 27, 2016

This morning the East African Court of Justice delivered a blow with its judgment in a matter initially brought before it by a Ugandan based Human Rights coalition. The matter of Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) v Attorney General of Uganda (and the Secretariat of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS))  … More International Human Rights Court in Africa delivers Judgment Blow in Historic First LGBT Case

Bloomsburg Fair in Pennsylvania Fails to Apologize for Nazi Flag

September 26, 2016

A Trump Win Means A Nazi America: If you think that  Donald J. Trump’s  mere candidacy is providing comfort for Nazis to come out of the woodwork, can you imagine what a presidency will invoke? By Melanie Nathan, September 26, 2016. Tonight starts the debates between Donald J. Trump and Hillary Clinton, as the candidates … More Bloomsburg Fair in Pennsylvania Fails to Apologize for Nazi Flag

Sioux Tribe Invites UN Human Rights Council Special Rappateur to Standing Rock

September 20, 2016

Today at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, in front of representatives from hundreds of countries attending, the Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, David Archambault II, personally handed Ms. Victoria Tauli Corpuz, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, an invitation to come to Standing Rock to witness first-hand how the Dakota … More Sioux Tribe Invites UN Human Rights Council Special Rappateur to Standing Rock

South Africa Bans U.S. Gay Hate Pastor Steven Anderson Entering the Country

September 13, 2016

By Melanie Nathan, September 13, 2016. South Africa has barred the controversial US pastor Steven Anderson from visiting the county, because of his critical remarks about homosexuality, noting he is considered an “undesirable person” under the Immigration Act. Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba has announced that American gay hate pastor Steven Anderson, and his … More South Africa Bans U.S. Gay Hate Pastor Steven Anderson Entering the Country

Soccer Legend Wambach tells Her Truth in Memoir, Forward

September 12, 2016

By Melanie Nathan, September 12, 2016. Soccer legend Abby Wambach expresses her “Truth” on her Facebook timeline, while announcing the launch of her memoir, “Forward”. Wambach, an open lesbian, having scored 184 career goals, is the leading career scorer, male or female, in international soccer. She retired in December after 15 years with the U.S. … More Soccer Legend Wambach tells Her Truth in Memoir, Forward

Shame on American Jewish Congress For Equating Hillary With Trump

September 8, 2016

AJC guilty of pitting Jews Against each Other –  “Jews for Hillary” Against the untenable idea of  “Jews for Trump” By Melanie Nathan, September 08, 2016. When I received this E-MAIL from the American Jewish Congress, 260 Madison Ave., 2nd Floor, New York NY 10016 United States , as Jew, I wanted to throw up: … More Shame on American Jewish Congress For Equating Hillary With Trump

U.S. Senator Calls for Investigation into Human Trafficking and Immigration Abuse by Trump Model Agency

September 7, 2016

United States senator, Barbara Boxer, (D-CA) has sent the Department of Homeland Security a letter asking for the immediate investigation of Donald Trump’s modeling agency after an August 30th publication by media outlet, Mother Jones, in which Trump’s company, Trump Model Management,  was accused of trafficking illegal immigrants willing to work as models. Bipartisan Report … More U.S. Senator Calls for Investigation into Human Trafficking and Immigration Abuse by Trump Model Agency

Iraqi cleric urges tolerance toward LGBT people

September 3, 2016

This report in AL Monitor – Pulse of the Middle East: Human Rights Watch (HRW) has praised Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr for publicly advocating a humanitarian stance toward the LGBT community, saying they should not be subjected to violence. Last month, Joe Stork, HRW’s deputy Middle East director, said, “His statement represents an important change … More Iraqi cleric urges tolerance toward LGBT people

Argentinian Subway Station To Be Named After LGBT Activist

September 3, 2016

News from Argentina – quoting The Bubble – Yesterday marked yet another important day for the LGBTQ community in Argentina. The Buenos Aires City legislature approved a measure to name the Sante Fe station of the newly inaugurated “H” subway line after Argentine LGBT activist Carlos Jáuregui. The memorializing of one of the country’s most impactful activists is … More Argentinian Subway Station To Be Named After LGBT Activist

Federal Judge Halts Nationwide Protections for Transgender Students

August 22, 2016

New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund responded to news that U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor of Texas had issued an injunction against a federal directive protecting transgender students in schools across the nation. In May, the U.S. Education and Justice Departments sent a letter and guidance to every school district in the U.S. reminding them … More Federal Judge Halts Nationwide Protections for Transgender Students

TLDEF Denounces Federal Court Ruling in Michigan Funeral Home Case

August 18, 2016

 TLDEF Denounces Federal Court Ruling in Favor of Michigan Funeral Home that Fired Employee for Being Transgender New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) condemns a federal court ruling in favor of a Garden City, Michigan funeral home that fired an employee for being transgender. The court ruled that the funeral home … More TLDEF Denounces Federal Court Ruling in Michigan Funeral Home Case

Ugandan Human Rights Coalition Calls on Government to Respect the Law following Anti Gay Pride Raid

August 16, 2016

Ugandan Coalition appalled by utterances by the Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Hon. Simon Lokodo that he would call upon Ugandans to commit unlawful acts Here is the statement from The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law (the Coalition)  in Uganda, condemning the Uganda Police Force’s actions as well as the horrific … More Ugandan Human Rights Coalition Calls on Government to Respect the Law following Anti Gay Pride Raid

Report on Belize Judgment Striking Down Sodomy Law

August 11, 2016

A media consultant at Amnesty, United Kingdom, has provided the following judgment report, an unofficial summary of the Belize Court’s conclusion striking down the sodomy laws of that country. Unofficial : Judgment Report: The Court was called to order at 10 am. The case was called and appearances made by Lisa Shoman SC for all … More Report on Belize Judgment Striking Down Sodomy Law

Documents in Case Against Scott Lively Reveals Massive LGBTI Persecution

August 10, 2016

Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) Submits Extensive Documentation of Anti-Gay Persecution in Uganda and Role of Scott Lively and Ugandan Actors in Propelling It  Yesterday, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) submitted a filing in federal court documenting the widespread and systematic persecution of LGBTI people in Uganda and the key … More Documents in Case Against Scott Lively Reveals Massive LGBTI Persecution